I Found THE Dress!

[Haven]

And it looks NOTHING like I thought it would.

So, I received an email from David's Bridal today, saw they are having a $99 sale, called to make an appointment. My mother, her best friend (and my "second" mother) and one of my sister's came to meet me. I've heard blah things about David's Bridal, but I was so excited to try dresses on, and I figured I had nothing to lose with a $99 sale.

Well, I told the wonderful saleswoman that I am pretty open-minded, however I know what I don't like: tulle and poofy ball gowns. Guess what I fell absolutely head over heels in love with? Yup--a foufy poofy layers upon layers of tulle ball gown. I knew it was the one, so I skipped around the store in it for a while, and then ordered it right then and there. Unfortunately, it wasn't one of the $99 gowns, but it was on sale, so I feel like I got a deal.

It's an Oleg Cassini, style no.CK166. I had to order the dress an extra four inches long because apparently they make dresses for women who are 5'7", and I'm nearly 5'10" without shoes. I'm so excited--I felt absolutely amazing in this dress. Who knew?

Any ladies have a similar experience--you think you know exactly what you want and then you try the dresses on and fall in love with the exact opposite?

Here's a picture:

 

[KimberlyH]

I imagined my dress to be super-simple with wider straps and a fuller (not super full, but a-line) skirt...I wore a fitted dress with a lace overlay...lots of beading and details. I loved, loved, loved it...still do. It''s waiting to be preserved right now and I smile every time I walk into my closet and see it.

 

[door knob solitaire]

Haven, congrats on that dress! It is off the charts beautiful. Princess no less. Maybe you are on a roll...plan one thing then order the opposite! It is worth a try, it sure worked on your dress!

DKS

 

[Skippy123]

Oh Haven, how exciting!!! You could be a model at 5''10, lucky duck! A similar thing happened while looking for BM dresses for my sisters wedding. We saw the ugliest dress in the store and my sister said try it on so we could make fun of the dress, when I came out we were both in shock!!! It was a periwinkle tulle dress and those turned out to be the prettiest BM dresses, so I completely understand what you are saying!!! YAY

 

[OUpearlgirl]

What a gorgeous dress! I love that it''s exactly what you said you did not want! Sometimes we surprise ourselves..

 

[Harleigh]

That''s so funny, Haven! Mine was the exact opposite! I thought I would love the big, princessy dresses, but the plain ol'' streamlined ones turned out to look the best on me. Not that I can make up my mind about any of my recent ebay purchases of cheap wedding dresse, but they are nothing at all like what I thought I wanted or imagined myself in.

BTW, I would kill to have a little more height on me...hee hee hee...I bought 4 inch heels in anticipation of even attempting to hit that 5'' 7" standard they claim the dresses are made for...I haven''t got a shot in hell, but I keep trying!

I love your dress...I am a big fan of Oleg Cassini, though also not a big one of David''s Bridal...I''m so excited that you found one there you love! Can''t wait to see it on you!

 

[labbielove]

Date: 9/17/2007 11:11:01 PM
Author: KimberlyH
I imagined my dress to be super-simple with wider straps and a fuller (not super full, but a-line) skirt...I wore a fitted dress with a lace overlay...lots of beading and details. I loved, loved, loved it...still do. It''s waiting to be preserved right now and I smile every time I walk into my closet and see it.

Same thing happened to me, I thought I''d want very simple plain satin and ended up with all over lace overlay- love it! Hmmm...same thing happened with my e-ring, went in for a solitaire on a plain band and ended up with split prong with pave diamonds.

 

[anchor31]

Congrats! It''s beautiful, I can''t wait to see pics of you in it!

I was a bit like you... I wanted anything BUT strapless, and guess what looks best on me... Strapless!

 

[Sha]

I thought I would have wanted a chiffon gown with lacework but ended up getting a full satin gown instead.

 

[april diamonds]

me too! i told myself there was no way I was getting a strapless dress! And I didn''t wan a bow or sash...but I got a strapless dress with a sash! Mine''s also an Oleg Cassini from David''s Bridal! I saw that one, thought it was gorgeous but wanted a satin skirt instead of tulle (the one thing I ended up thinking i wanted and actually got).

congratulations on finding the dress of your dreams!

 

[Independent Gal]

You're so lucky you can carry that dress off! It's great and so much fun. But since I'm so wee, when I tried on a similar one my friend had to try to find me in all that tulle... 'Indyyyyy.... where are you??? Are you in there?'

I thought I was going to hate every dress I tried, and I particularly dislike mermaid shapes in pictures. I had my heart semi-set on this short boxy Fendi number in white, complete with crazy silver sequined platform t-straps I saw in a magazine. I cut it out and taped it the fridge and FI and I bowed to its linear perfection each morning. I actually thought about a trip to NYC, just to try it on. I only went into a bridal salon 'for fun' at first. Turns out, I loved a tonne of the dresses I tried on and I look best in trumpets and mermaids. And ended up visiting half a dozen salons. Finally got a weirdy mermaid number made of metallic fibres and silk/

ETA: I WILL be wearing crazy silver platform sandals though. But no sequins.

 

[Haven]

My mom just sent me some photos from our shopping excursion, here''s the best shot of the poufiness! I''m wearing a bolero in this one, tried it on to see how it would look for the ceremony.

And please do keep in mind that I went shopping after a full day of working with my beloved, yet highly spirited high school students (hence the hair and ragged look on my face!)

I love the POUF! Is that strange? I always HATE ball gowns when I see them in the mags. Oh, well! I love this one!

 

[Independent Gal]

THPONK!

That''s the sound of me hitting the floor. It''s perfection on you. So... jealous...

 

[Haven]

How funny--I just noticed the strange woman with the disapproving look on her face in the background. Her daughter was trying on dresses, too, but I must admit that our little party was very excited and we were probably a bit annoying. But who can contain their excitement when they find the dress? A little skipping never hurt anyone . . .

Kimberly--Your dress sounds gorgeous. Won''t you miss seeing it when it is "preserved"?

DKS--I like your theory, perhaps I should go against all instincts for future planning, I''ll give it a try. Thanks for sharing in my enthusiasm about the dress!

Skippy--I WISH I could be a model, it sounds like a nice way to make a living. I love your story about the bridesmaid dresses, and it''s so true--you never know how a gown is going to look on you until you try it on. Have any pictures of the dress? Now I''m intrigued!

OUPeargirl--Thanks! I''ve definitely surprised even myself a few times since getting engaged, especially since I''ve become so damn giddy and excited about things I never thought would matter much (like flowers and ''accent colors''!)

Harleigh--It sounds like we had opposite experiences with the dresses--I love love love a gorgeous trumpet or mermaid silhoutte, but they made me look so long and, well, ugh. You, however, look great in your eBay dress, I love it! I saw it when you posted the thread about it. I know what you mean about David''s Bridal, but Cassini sells his gowns to them exclusively, so what''s a girl to do? I love him, too--ever since I read some book about Jacki O years ago and learned that he was one of her designers.

Oh, and the height--I suppose we all want what we don''t have, right? My FI is an inch shorter than I am, thank goodness he doesn''t have any problems being with a taller woman!

Labbielove--I switched ering designs once I tried them on, too! I hadn''t thought of that until I read your post, sounds like a trend, here . . .

Anchor--I didn''t want strapless, either! I think that style looks so good on so many different body types, though, it must be why they are everywhere.

Sha--I''m going to go look up your gown, it sounds gorgeous.

April--Thank you! I''m really impressed with the quality of the Oleg Cassini gowns, I''ve heard so many negative things about David''s Bridal, and I almost resigned myself to the fact that I''d end up spending a couple thousand on the gown, it''s a good thing I checked it out for myself! Which gown did you choose?

IndyGal--I have the best image of your friend searching for you in yards of tulle, ha! I saw your gorgeous gown when you posted it here, talk about being able to pull off a stunning piece! Your gown is gorgeous and unique, and I''m sure those platforms will finish it off beautifully!

 

[Haven]

Date: 9/18/2007 12:49:00 PM
Author: Independent Gal
THPONK!

That''s the sound of me hitting the floor. It''s perfection on you. So... jealous...

Awww, thanks, Indy! It makes me feel so much better to hear that, because I was seriously doubting my rash decision just now as I was replying to everyone''s posts. This dress is so NOT ME, and my sister''s response was WOW! You are going to shock everyone by wearing that gown!

But then I see the pictures and get all giddy again! I''m getting used to this excited bride role.

 

[Stephanie]

Congratulations on finding your dress! It looks amazing on you..

 

[Harleigh]

OMG, Haven, you look GORGEOUS in that dress! It was the perfect choice for you, and I''m so glad you posted a picture of you in it! I wish I looked half that poised after spending the day with my little darlings!

I am so happy for you!!!

 

[anchor31]

You look amazing in it! I''m so short (5''1" before shoes) that I could never pull this off.

 

[Sabine]

Wow, that dress was MADE for someone who looks like you!!! I''m so happy for you! Congrats!

 

[zoebartlett]

Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! I''m so glad you found the dress for you!

 

[HollyS]

Yeah!

This is one of my favorites from David''s Bridal.

 

[Haven]

Thanks, ladies! I''m so excited now, I don''t know how I''m going to wait to try it on again until January!

 

[robbie3982]

Haven, you look amazing in that dress!!! I''ll keep my fingers crossed for you that it comes in early

. I can''t wait to see more pics!

 

[rainydaze]

wow wow wow! you look amazing in that dress.... pure elegance and gorgeous bride! if i could have looked anywhere near as stunning in that style i would have died and gone to heaven!!

p.s. that has happened to me many times - i would always roll my eyes at my mother''s suggestions for clothing only to try it on to humor her...... and love it.

 

[chellebelle]

Haven, you are stunning!!! It's such a beautiful dress and it looks like it was made for you. I love love loooooove the tulle.... it looks so soft and romantic!

And it's unique because usually when I think of ballgowns I think of satin, silk, etc. I can't wait to see more pics!

 

[Haven]

Awwww, thanks, ladies!

Now I just have to find the right bolero . . . (it never ends, does it?) I''m not even going to start looking for the right slip yet.

 

[Jas12]

The dress is dreamy (had to get over the model''s hair first however, hehe)

I too got an utterly and completely different dress than I first imagined myself in...funny how that happens

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

I love your dress!!! Devine!!

(mine also had a tulle bottom!!!)

cheers--Sharon

 

[NewEnglandLady]

Oh, Haven, the dress is GORGEOUS!!! It looks absolutely perfect on you, I love it!!! The tulle looks great, I think the fact that the dress has a dropped waist makes the tulle look really chic and not too poofy!

Count me in for the the "I can''t believe I ended up with THIS style of dress" club. I thought I''d want a lace Monique Lhuillier gown with a sash. The only thing I knew I didn''t want was something strapless. Did I get lace? No. A sash? No. Strapless? Yes. I ended up with a silk, strapless mermaid gown, haha. Sometimes what looks the best on you just isn''t what you have in mind!

Congrats on getting the dress, it''s fabulous!

 

[ponderer]

Yep,

I thougth A line with some kind of straps b/c O did not have the bust to go strapless. I ended up in a strapless ballgown with box pleats (very similar to Robbie''s).

I too hated tulle and did not even try one on. But then again, I never saw one that look that gorgeous.